Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Where Do I Start

Dan T

Recommended Posts

Dan T Newbie
Dan T
Posted

I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
Link
Posted
If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
Link
Posted
I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan

Link Rookie
Link
Posted

Dan:

Enterolab (www.enterolab.com) offers a variety of tests, including a stool test, to identify gluten sensitivity. It also provides genetic testing. All tests are at a reasonable cost and may be

ordered without a doctor's order.

These stool tests are highly sensitive and will tell you if you are gluten intolerant and even if you are genetically predisposed to celiac disease. It is well worth checking out this web site...it is a wealth of information. Also, the stool test is not an invasive test and it is definitive. I just ordered the kit for myself to determine once and for all if I have Celiac Disease and if I carry the genes so I can enlighten my adult kids. Also, you don't have to start back on gluten to have the test done.

Also, The Gluten Connection by Shari Liberman is an excellent book to get you started on the gluten journey. Highly informative...this is where I found out about the lab in TX. Hang in there. I am still battling the symptoms of gluten intolerence after being gluten free for 5 1/2 weeks. I am determined to beat this ordeal. Don't give up...stay gluten free...what do you have to lose?

Evie4 Apprentice
Evie4
Posted

Dan, constipation was my main motivation to go gluten free. I'm in my late 40s and it was becoming progressively worse. I went mostly gluten free and found that two days in a row of consuming gluten constipated me. Then it was a single day of consumption and I couldn't go for a couple days. Things were going really well after completely stopping gluten and then I found out if I eat legumes a couple days in a row or if I eat too many gluten free starchy things like muffins, cookies, pretzels etc. I start having problems.

I've been suffering from IBS for about 16+ years now. I tried all the traditional recommendations. Fiber was a disaster, no amount water or exercise worked. I have pretty much always eaten well balanced meals with daily fruit and vegetables. My husband has no problem with our diet.

I don't know if I have celiac disease. I do have genes, symptoms and test results that point to it. So I'm gluten free and life is better. Not perfect, but better!

So...you could try eating less starch and no gluten and see if that helps. In my case, the amount of gluten you have been eating would be too much for me to not be constipated.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @JudyLou! There are a couple of things you might consider to help you in your decision that would not require you to do a gluten challenge. The first, that is if you have not had this test run already, is to request a "total IGA" test to be run. One of the reasons that celiac blood antibody tests can be negative...
    2. JudyLou
      - JudyLou posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Hi there, I’m debating whether to consider a gluten challenge and I’m hoping someone here can help with that decision (so far, none of the doctors have been helpful). I have a history of breaking out in a horrible, burning/itchy somewhat blistering rash about every 8 years. This started when I was in my early 30’s and at that point it started at the ankle...
    3. marzian
      - marzian commented on Scott Adams's article in Diagnosis, Testing & Treatment
      5

      A Future Beyond the Gluten-Free Diet? Scientists Test a New Cell Therapy for Celiac Disease (+Video)

      This is very exciting news. The research lends itself to preventing the immune system in other autoimmune disorders from getting out of sorts. As someone with a compendium of autoimmune disorders I feel a bit of hope.
    4. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      Medications

      Hello, just popped in my head to ask this question about medications and celiac? I have always had refurse reaction to meds since I can remember of what little meds my body is able to tolerate. I was taking gabapentin 300mg for a week, in past I believe 150? Any ways it amps me up not able to sleep, though very tired.However I did notice it helped with...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to GlutenFreeChef's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Blood Test for Celiac wheat type matters?

      I'm not saying that some celiacs won't need it, but it should be done under a doctor's supervision because it can cause lots of problems in some people.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,137
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    GFTom
    Newest Member
    GFTom
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @JudyLou! There are a couple of things you might consider to help you in your decision that would not require you to do a gluten challenge. The first, that is if you have not had this test run already, is to request a "total IGA" test to be run. One of the reasons that celiac blood antibody tests can be negative, apart from not having celiac disease, that is, is because of IGA deficiency. If a person is IGA deficient, they will not respond accurately to the celiac disease blood antibody tests (such as the commonly run TTG-IGA). The total IGA test is designed to check for IGA deficiency. The total IGA test is not a celiac antibody test so I wouldn't think that a gluten challenge is necessary. The second is to have genetic testing done to determine if you have the genetic potential to develop celiac disease. About 30-40% of  the general population have the genetic potential but only about 1% actually develop celiac disease. So, genetic testing cannot be used to diagnose celiac disease but it can be used to rule it out. Those who don't have the genetic potential but still have reaction to gluten would not be diagnosed with celiac disease but with NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).  Another possibility is that you do have celiac disease but are in remission. We do see this but often it doesn't last.
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Hi there, I’m debating whether to consider a gluten challenge and I’m hoping someone here can help with that decision (so far, none of the doctors have been helpful). I have a history of breaking out in a horrible, burning/itchy somewhat blistering rash about every 8 years. This started when I was in my early 30’s and at that point it started at the ankles and went about to my knees. Every time I had the rash it would cover more of my body, so my arms and part of my torso were impacted as well, and it was always symmetrical. First I was told it was an allergic reaction to a bug bite. Next I was told it was eczema (after a biopsy of the lesion - not the skin near the lesion) and given a steroid injection (didn’t help). I took myself off of gluten about 3 weeks before seeing an allergist, just to see if it would help (it didn’t in that time period). He thought the rash looked like dermatitis herpetiformis and told me to eat some bread the night before my blood tests, which I did, and the tests came back negative. I’ve since learned from this forum that I needed to be eating gluten daily for at least a month in order to get an accurate test result. I’m grateful to the allergist as he found that 5 mg of doxepin daily will eliminate the rash within about 10 days (previously it lasted for months whether I was eating gluten or not). I have been gluten free for about 25 years as a precaution and recommendation from my doctor, and the pattern of breaking out every 8 years or so remains the same except once I broke out after just one year (was not glutened as far as I know), and now it’s been over 9 years. What’s confusing to me, is that there have been 3 times in the past 2 years when I’ve accidentally eaten gluten, and I haven’t had any reaction at all. Once someone made pancakes (they said they were gluten-free, they were not) and I ate several. I need to decide whether to do a gluten challenge and get another blood test. If I do, are these tests really accurate? I’m also concerned that I could damage my gut in that process if I do have celiac disease. My brother and cousin both had lymphoma so that’s a concern regarding a challenge as well, though there is a lot of cancer in various forms in my family so there may be no gluten connection there. Sorry for the ramble, I’m just doubting the need to remain gluten free if I don’t have any reaction to eating it and haven’t had a positive test (other than testing positive for one of the genes, though it sounds like that’s pretty common). I’d appreciate any thoughts or advice! 
    • Jmartes71
      Medications

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Hello, just popped in my head to ask this question about medications and celiac? I have always had refurse reaction to meds since I can remember  of what little meds my body is able to tolerate. I was taking gabapentin 300mg for a week,  in past I believe 150? Any ways it amps me up not able to sleep, though very tired.However I did notice it helped with my bloating sibo belly.I hate that my body is that sensitive and medical doesn't seem to take seriously. Im STILL healing with my skin, eye, and now ms or meningioma ( will know in April  which)and dealing with this limbo nightmare. I did write my name, address ect on the reclamation but im not tech savvy and not sure if went through properly. I called my city representative in Stanislaus County and asked if theres a physical paper i can sign for proclamation for celiac and she had no clue about what I was saying, so I just said I'll go back on website. 
    • Scott Adams
      Blood Test for Celiac wheat type matters?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I'm not saying that some celiacs won't need it, but it should be done under a doctor's supervision because it can cause lots of problems in some people.
    • Jmartes71
      Airborne Gluten?

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      I also noticed I get debilitating migraines when I smell gluten, wheat and its not taken seriously when it affects one in every way.Im still begging to properly be heard.I also noticed tolerance level is down the drain with age and life changes. I have been told by incompetent medical that im not celiac or that sensitive. Diagnosed in 1994 by gi biopsy gluten-free ever since along with other lovely food allergies. Prayers
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.